Protection officer accused of exposure and upskirting on public transport
A diplomatic protection officer accused of upskirting on public transport and exposing himself has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Christopher Herd, 48, a former sergeant in specialist operations with the Metropolitan Police, is accused of four offences in Essex over six months last year.
Herd, who resigned from the force in March, is charged with one count of exposure in Manningtree in July last year, and three counts of recording an image under clothing without consent between March and August 2024 in Clacton-on-Sea.
The Met, which has confirmed he worked for its parliamentary and diplomatic protection branch, said the alleged upskirting offences took place on public transport while Herd was on and off duty.
Appearing at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Friday, he confirmed his name, address and date of birth and pleaded not guilty to each of the charges.
Herd wore a striped tie and black suit during the 10-minute hearing, during which prosecutors said the fact he was a police officer 'aggravates the offence'.
Crown Court trial
Asked which court he would prefer be tried in, Herd said: 'I would like to elect a crown court hearing please.'
He will go on trial in June at Chelmsford Crown Court and he has been released on conditional bail.
Deputy District Judge Jennifer Twite said his bail conditions included not being allowed to go on public transport unaccompanied and not contacting anyone under the age of 18 except his own children.
He is also banned from deleting any photos or videos without the consent of police or from recording anyone in a public place.
The Metropolitan Police said on Wednesday that Herd had been charged in April with a number of sexual offences following an investigation by officers in Essex.
The force said he worked in Special Operations, but later confirmed he was attached to the parliamentary and diplomatic protection branch.
Herd was arrested by Essex Police in August 2024 on suspicion of indecent exposure, which is alleged to have taken place while off duty.
Following further enquiries, he was arrested again on suspicion of upskirting.
The alleged offences are also said to have happened both when he was on and off duty while travelling on public transport.
Following his arrest, he was suspended, and he resigned on March 1. The Met's Directorate of Professional Standards is aware of the case.
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